Suzanne Plewes, RE/MAX Alliance in Loveland
LOVELAND – Halloween is right around the corner. As the big day approaches, you’ve probably thought about buying candy and maybe putting out some decorations. It’s important to also think about safety. With so many people (mostly children) visiting your property, this holiday brings some potential liability for you as a homeowner. Here are some tips on how to make your home safe for trick-or-treaters.
Prepare walkways
Make sure the walkways from the sidewalk to your front door are clear and well lit. Remove any tripping hazards such as hoses or overgrown shrubbery. Secure any loose steps or handrails. And most importantly, make sure people can see where they are walking!
Select appropriate treats
You’ve probably heard the warnings to kids before about not eating any candy unless it’s in fully sealed packages. Although you may want to prepare something special such as homemade cookies and other treats, it’s best not to do that for Halloween. First, it’s likely that your hard work will end up in the trash. Secondly, you run the risk of people getting sick or, worse, having a severe allergic reaction to the ingredients in your treats. Lastly, kids are not generally thrilled by those types of treats anyway. Stick to store bought candy in tightly sealed packages to minimize your liability and keep the kids happy.
Keep it outdoors
If you love decorating for Halloween, then you’re probably the “cool” house that kids tell each other about. Avoid asking children to come inside your home to view haunted scenery. Parents may not be thrilled about their children entering a stranger’s home. Additionally, there is more potential for injury indoors, especially if scared kids starting running to find their way out and must navigate through doorways and stairways. It’s best to keep Halloween decorations outdoors.
Have fun but stay safe
Halloween is meant to be a funny holiday. An injury or lawsuit won’t be a very fun way to celebrate Halloween. Keep the fun going and minimize your risk as a homeowner by observing these safety tips.
Suzanne Plewes is a broker associate at RE/MAX Alliance. Write to 750 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO 80537, call 970.290.0373 or e-mail [email protected].
By Suzanne Plewes, RE/MAX Alliance
